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FG, Niger Govt. restate commitment to drive down food inflation

Published

4 months ago

January 27, 2024

The Federal Government and Niger Government have reiterated commitment to ensuring food security and driving down food inflation.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari and Gov. Mohammed Bago of Niger stated this when Bago visited Kyari on Friday in Abuja.

Kyari said that Bago’s visit was an attestation to the strong alliance and synergy the ministry is motivated to build between the federal and state governments to ensure food security and agricultural growth in Nigeria.

” I would like to affirm our sincere optimism for possibilities ahead as we significantly deploy the lessons learnt from the first phase of the Dry Season Food Production.

” With the largest landmass in the country, abundant water resources and vast arable land, Niger easily offers itself for massive agricultural production.

” We recognize that fundamental governance issues as elsewhere is to translate these agricultural potentials into sustainable reality.

“It is for this reason that we at the ministry of Agriculture have consistently canvassed partnership and collaboration between the Federal and State Governments.

” We believe that a firm handshake between the two tiers of government at the minimum, should produce salutary result in our quest for food security and attendant value chain benefits,” he said.

He said it is a fact that the agricultural sector in Niger had witnessed outstanding accomplishments since the inception of Bago’s administration.

Kyari said Niger had rolled out Agricultural input support to farmers, including the dry season farming that commenced some days ago.

He said the State also distributed assorted fertilizer to farmers across the Local Government in the state.

” Consistent with these trajectories, it can be said that Niger has assumed an enviable forefront position in the Renewed Hope for Food Security Agenda of President Tinubu,” he said.

” Furthermore, I would like to reiterate that the Ministry is fully aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

” We are poised to implement our programmes in line with his vision for the agricultural sector.

“We are determined to driving agricultural transformation, enhancing productivity and ensuring that our farmers have the necessary support to thrive.

” Our goal also includes ensuring food security and driving down food inflation,” he said.

Earlier, Bago said that the State had attracted investment in agricultural mechanisation and technology in the last six months.

Bago said that his visit was to further aligned with Tinubu’s commitment to food security as a major priority.

” We’ve invested so much in irrigation, now, we’re deploying irrigation pumps, some of them are renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions,” he said.

Related Topics:Abubakar Kyari FG Food inflation Niger govt

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Senate seeks states, FCT’s involvement in selection of airlines for Hajj pilgrims

Published

1 hour ago

May 15, 2024

NewsDirect

The amendment bill also seeks for the involvement of States Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards in feeding of pilgrims in Madina and Masha’ir under regulation of NAHCON.

The Senate has sought the involvement of states and the Federal Capital Territory in selecting airlines and feeding Hajj pilgrims.

This is sequel to the passage of an amendment bill on the establishment Act of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to pave the way for the involvement of States and the FCT in the selection of Airlines for Hajj operations. It scaled through the second reading.

The amendment bill also seeks the involvement of States’ Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards in feeding pilgrims in Madina and Masha’ir under the regulation of NAHCON.

Resolutions of the Senate followed the consideration of the Bill for an Act to Amend the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, 2006 to involve States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory in the selection of Airline Agencies for Hajj Operations to promote efficiency, accountability and for related matters, 2024 (SB. 344)

Senator Abbas Aminu Iya representing Adamawa Central who sponsored the bill, informed the Senate that NAHCON was established in 2006 to serve as a regulatory agency on Muslim pilgrims, overseeing activities of states, Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, FCT and Tour agents.

He, however, queried the practice which allows states Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to handle accommodation and feeding of their pilgrims in Mecca while NAHCON handles accommodation and feeding of all pilgrims in Madina and Masha’ir (Mina and Arafat), which he said creates many inconveniences to pilgrims and affects NAHCON ‘s ability for effective regulatory function.

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Sanwo-Olu mourns death of Deputy Chief of Staff, Gboyega Soyannwo

Published

1 hour ago

May 15, 2024

NewsDirect

By Sodiq Adelakun

The Lagos State Government has announced the passing of its Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Gboyega Soyannwo.

According to a statement signed by the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Soyannwo died on Wednesday after a brief illness at the age of 55.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu expressed his condolences to the Soyannwo family, describing the late Deputy Chief of Staff as a “brother and a servant of the people.

According to the statement, “In deep sorrow, the Lagos State Government announces the passing of the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCoS) to Mr. Governor, Mr. Gboyega Soyannwo.

“Soyannwo died today after a brief illness. He was 55.

“Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on behalf of the Government and people of Lagos, sends his condolences to the Soyannwo family.

“I have lost a brother and a servant of the people,” Mr. Governor said while breaking the news to the Executive Council (EXCO) meeting,

“After a minute’s silence in respect of the late DCoS, Mr. Governor ended the EXCO meeting.”

The late Gboyega Soyannwo is survived by a wife and two children.

News

Mosque explosion: 24 persons injured in Kano

Published

1 hour ago

May 15, 2024

NewsDirect

About 24 persons were early in the morning on Wednesday critically injured following a mosque explosion at Gadan Village, Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State

SP Abdullahi Haruna, the Public Relations Officer of the Kano Police Command, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday.

According to him, “Today, 15/05/2024 at about 0520hrs, reports were received that, there was an explosion at a Mosque in Gadan Village, Gezawa LGA, Kano State, during “Subhi Prayer,” and that some people got injured.”

He further explained that on receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, immediately deployed the command’s combined teams consisting of experts in Explosive Ordnance Disposal Chemical Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) led by CSP Haruna Isma’il and other Crime-Scene Policemen led by Divisional Police Officer, Gezawa Division, CSP Haruna Iliya.

The scene, according to the PPRO, was cordoned-off and twenty-four victims, including 20 male adults and four male children, were evacuated and rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano where they are currently receiving treatment.

He further explained that a forensic analysis at the preliminary stage revealed a suspected petrol explosion, of which a full investigation is ongoing, adding that the principal suspect had been identified and arrested adding that the suspect is now with the police.

The PPRO stated that the suspect is Shafi’u Abubakar, aged 38 years, who said his action was purely in hostility following prolonged family disagreement over sharing of inheritance, of which those that he alleged to have cheated him were in the mosque at that moment and he did that for his voice to be heard.

While the suspect is currently in police custody, he explained that a detailed investigation is ongoing and will be made public in due course.